L3Harris Expands Huntsville Solid Rocket Motor Facility!
By Ashutosh Arora
L3Harris Technologies, headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, has announced the expansion of its Additive Manufacturing Facility – South (AMF-South) in Huntsville, Alabama. This facility plays a critical role in the company’s production of solid rocket motor components, including nozzles, exit cones, aft closures, and cases. The investment strengthens L3Harris’ position as a key supplier for defense programs that rely heavily on solid rocket motor technology.
According to Ken Bedingfield, president of Aerojet Rocketdyne, an L3Harris company, solid rocket motors remain vital to the majority of defense programs that protect communities, military forces, and allied nations. He emphasized that the expansion in Huntsville represents not only a significant investment in production capabilities but also a commitment to ensuring that critical defense components are manufactured in the United States.
L3Harris has invested more than 20 million dollars in renovations to support the 35,000-square-meter AMF-South facility. The plant is designed with scalability in mind, enabling it to adapt to growing demand. Inside, the facility houses an array of advanced equipment, including hydraulic presses, autoclaves, tape-wrap systems, and composite machining technologies. These tools provide the ability to produce high-quality inert components with improved precision and faster turnaround times, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the overall production process.
The expansion was supported in part through a Title III Defense Production Act cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense. This funding assisted in the purchase of additional equipment and tooling, underscoring the federal government’s recognition of the importance of solid rocket motor manufacturing capacity for national defense readiness.
Currently, AMF-South is actively supporting several critical defense programs, including the Standard Missile, the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, and the Javelin anti-tank missile. Looking forward, the facility is expected to contribute to additional programs as L3Harris expands its role in defense supply chains. The company’s investment is already making an impact locally, with approximately 40 new jobs created as part of the expansion. Over the next few years, L3Harris anticipates adding more than 100 additional positions to support operations, providing significant economic benefits to the Huntsville area.
The growth of AMF-South complements the company’s Advanced Manufacturing Facility – North, also located in Huntsville, which opened in 2019 and spans 12,500 square meters. Together, the two facilities form a robust hub of advanced manufacturing that positions L3Harris as a cornerstone of the solid rocket motor supply chain in the United States.
The expansion reflects broader trends in defense manufacturing, where capacity, speed, and reliability are paramount. With growing global security challenges and the need to modernize military capabilities, demand for solid rocket motors remains strong. By expanding its operations in Huntsville, L3Harris not only secures its role in meeting these demands but also reinforces its commitment to delivering the technology that supports critical defense programs.
As L3Harris continues to invest in advanced manufacturing capabilities, the company is building a foundation for long-term growth and innovation in the defense sector. The AMF-South expansion demonstrates how strategic investments in technology and infrastructure can directly strengthen national security while supporting local communities through job creation and industrial development.
